50 INTRODUCTION 



observe the longitude and latitude of the river's mouth, to 

 make a chart of the country he might walk through, with 

 such remarks as occurred to him during the Journey ; when 

 I was pitched on as a proper person to conduct the expedition. 

 By the ship that went to Churchill in the Summer of one 

 thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine, the Company sent 

 out some astronomical instruments, very portable, and fit for 

 such observations as they required me [xxxiii] to make, and 

 at the same time requested me to undertake the Journey, pro- 

 mising to allow me at my return, a gratuity proportionable to 

 the trouble and fatigue I might undergo in the expedition.* 

 [xxxiv] I did not hesitate to comply with the request of the 



* The conditions offered me on this occasion cannot be better expressed 

 than in the Company's own words, which I have transcribed from their private 

 letter to me, dated 25th May 1769: 



" From the good opinion we entertain of you, and Mr. Norton's recom- 

 mendation, we have agreed to raise your wages to £ ^ per annum for two 



years, and have placed you in our Council at Prince of Wales's Fort ; and we 

 should have been ready to advance you to the command of the Charlotte, 

 according to your request, if a matter of more immediate consequence had not 

 intervened. 



" Mr. Norton has proposed an inland Journey, far to the North of Churchill, 

 to promote an extension of our trade, as well as for the discovery of a North 

 West Passage, Copper Mines, &c.; and as an undertaking of this nature requires 

 the attention of a person capable of taking an observation for determining the 

 longitude and latitude, and also distances, and the course of rivers and their 

 depths, we have fixed upon you (especially as it is represented to us to be your 

 own inclination) to conduct this Journey, with proper assistants. 



" We therefore hope you will second our expectations in readily performing 

 this service, and upon your return we shall willingly make you any acknow- 

 ledgment suitable to your trouble therein. 



" We highly approve of your going in the Speedwell, to assist on the whale- 

 fishery last year, and heartily wish you health and success in the present 

 expedition. 



" We remain your loving Friends, 



" BiBYE Lake, Dep. Gov. " James Winter Lake. 



" John Anthony Merle. " Herman Berens. 



" Robert Merry. " Joseph Spurrel. 



" Samuel Wegg. " James Fitz Gerald." 



The Company had no sooner perused my Journals and Charts, than they 

 ordered a handsome sum to be placed to the credit of my account ; and in the 

 p Stated by Beckles Willson to be ^{^130.] 



